As the sun sets over Istanbul, Unai Emery stands on the brink of another piece of history. The Aston Villa manager has already conquered the Europa League four times—three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal—and on Wednesday against Freiburg, he chases a record-extending fifth crown. For a club starved of silverware for three decades, the final represents everything they have worked for since Emery’s arrival, and the man often called the “king of the Europa League” might be their ultimate advantage.
Emery’s story in this competition is almost mythical. Vicente Iborra, a midfielder who collected winners’ medals from all four of his triumphs, once said the manager leaves nothing to chance, poring over every detail that could unfold in a match. That obsessive preparation has become his trademark, and his players have learned to embrace the relentless rhythm of video analysis and tactical drills. “If you want any man to be leading you into a Europa League final, it’s him,” Matty Cash remarked, embodying the squad’s faith in their gaffer.
The journey to Istanbul has been far from straightforward. When Emery took over at Villa Park in late 2022, the team was languishing in 16th place, just three points above the drop zone. European football seemed a distant dream, let alone a Champions League spot. Yet in three and a half years, Emery has engineered a staggering transformation: a seventh-place finish in his first season, followed by back-to-back top-six campaigns, and now a fourth-or-fifth place finish that secures a return to Europe’s elite. This season alone, Villa looked in trouble after failing to win any of their opening six league games. Emery even feared a relegation battle. The Europa League provided the spark; a home win over Bologna ignited a recovery that carried them into the final.
Behind the scenes, Emery’s work ethic is legendary. Players have grown accustomed to arriving at the training ground before noon on matchdays for detailed meetings, sometimes sitting through three-hour video sessions ahead of crucial contests. Cash describes the gaffer as “work, work, work” but notes that after securing European qualification, a slightly more relaxed side emerges. Yet in the build-up to a final, the intensity skyrockets. Emery himself is a contradiction: an animated figure on the touchline yet a calming presence in the dressing room when things go wrong. Youri Tielemans recalled a half-time talk against Tottenham where, despite a dire performance, Emery lifted the squad by reminding them of their consistency and expressing pride.
Pau Torres, who won the Europa League with Emery at Villarreal in 2021, is set to start at the heart of Villa’s defence. His connection to both the manager and the trophy adds a layer of sentimental significance. Torres understands that for supporters, a trophy is the ultimate validation. “For the club to be in Europe every year is important for financial rules, for prestige,” he said, “but if you don’ win a trophy for the fans, it’s like: ‘OK, you did some really good seasons, but we wanted more.’” That hunger is shared by a fanbase that last saw their team lift a major trophy in 1996.
The final against Freiburg is not just about one man, but Emery’s presence on the touchline feels like a trump card. Ezri Konsa’s broad smile when asked about his manager’s record spoke volumes. As Cash put it, if you want someone to navigate a Europa League final, Emery’s CV makes him the perfect candidate. The players also drew inspiration from the club’s glorious past; before the squad travelled to Turkey, 1982 European Cup winner Peter Withe visited training and mingled with the squad, a reminder of what it means to achieve immortality in claret and blue.
Lifting the trophy would have far-reaching implications. It would end the long wait for silverware, secure Europa League football regardless of league position, and further cement Emery’s legacy as one of the modern greats in European competition. For a man who reached the 1,000-game managerial milestone not long ago, the fire still burns brightly. He often reminds his players of the Paris Saint-Germain tie in last season’s Champions League, a reference point for their ability to compete with the elite.
Now, with the players in their best moment of the season according to Torres, Villa approach the final with quiet confidence. Emery has urged them to maintain their level, to go down in history. The manager’s final message before kick-off will likely be a blend of tactical instruction and emotional charge, a speech designed to harness the same desire that Iborra once spoke of. If they succeed, the workaholic boss might just let his hair down and savour the moment—but only after another marathon analysis session to get over the line.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.
